So much help!

After Abby was born, we were SO lucky to have my parents and then Andy's mom come to visit for a couple weeks each and help us out. I have always struggled with postpartum anxiety after each of our kids and I feel so blessed that they were around to help me adjust and work through those early weeks. The kids had a blast and ask when their grandparents are coming back everyday. Andy and I even got to go on a few dates while they were here :). Thanks so much for coming guys and helping out; we miss you!

Hair Days

 For several months now every morning as we battle to brush out the tangles Sydney has said she wanted to cut her hair... Well, I didn't believe her and tried to explain you can take it back but she persisted. So last week we went in. We talked about donating it to Locks of Love and about another little girl who was sick and could use her hair in a wig. Sydney was excited to help someone by giving them her hair. It ended up begin 14 inches of hair. She was super excited while they cut it, but when they turned her around at the end, she started to cry. It was quite a shock and she said she missed her long hair. She cried when she looked in the mirror for about a day, but now she says she likes her short hair and is really proud that she can brush it all by herself. She look so much older, I feel like my baby girl is all grown up!

 Andy too has been asking and asking for me to find someone to perm his hair for several months now. I couldn't find anyone though and now that I'm not pregnant, he asked for me to do it myself. We stayed up super late one night and did it. I'd say it went pretty well for my first time! The back isn't as curly as the front and sides, but I'm sure I'll keep getting better if I ever have to do it again! It takes me back to when we met and I think it makes Andy look younger. The last picture is of Andy with all the kids on Father's Day. You can see how his hair turned out after being set for a couple of days.

Abby's One Month

Abby turns one month today, so we are celebrating by posting more pics! Abby is a good sleeper. At one month she sleeps 4-5 hrs the first leg of the night and 3 for another leg after that. She already tracks really well with her eyes and likes looking at her ladybug toy. She can hold her head up pretty well and is starting to coo. She's definitely trying to smile but we haven't gotten a big one yet. She does half smiles. She weighs 9 lbs and some change and is 20 3/4 in long. She's a sweet girl and we love her tons :). Both Sydney and Wynn like to show her toys and give her the binky when she is sad. They are anxious for her to be able to play with them too

Abby Gail Shinsel

** Warning *** This post has some slightly graphic pictures so reader beware!

My water broke about 7 pm on Friday evening the 16th. We called the sitter and headed to the birth center since my contractions started strong right away. There were two midwives, Maddie and Renee, and my doula, Shayna, at the birth along with Andy and I. This birth was different than Wynn's in that I was more present and less in a meditative trance. I was very aware of the noises and people around me. I labored in the birth tub for a while and then leaned on Andy and we rocked side to side through the contractions. When labor really picked up I labored leaning over the birth ball while Shayna massaged my back and Andy held my arms. There is a waterfall behind the birth center and the window as open so we could hear the water, I mostly remember the music though. I brought a classical piano cd to listen to and help me relax. I had to work harder this time to not allow myself to get out of the way of my body's work. I dilated really quickly again this time but Abby had her head a little tilted to the side so the last stage of labor was a lot harder than I remembered. She descended and receded three times before she was finally born, and it took a lot of faith and a blessing from Andy to help me not lose confidence in my ability to have a natural birth. I never felt scared or afraid though, just worried I wouldn't have the stamina to go on. She was born in the water at 12:04 AM on Saturday, May 17th. I will always remember feeling such relief and happiness when I first held her and peace as we all curled up together in the bed right after she was born to rest for a few hours before going home. She is a sweet baby girl and a good sleeper. She really loves to be held to sleep and close to us at night. Sydney loves to sing her lullabies and Wynn always wants to give her her binky because he loves his so much! She weighed 7 lbs 6 oz and was 20 1/4 in long.

Renee: Left Maddie: Right

Shayna

Preschool Graduation

Just four days after Abby was born, Sydney graduated from preschool. I wanted to make sure I post about that before I get into our other pictures and news :). Sydney had grown up so much and her preschool has been a big help. She went from being more shy and timid to a confident, friendly, curious little girl. She's made lots of friends, come out of her shell, and loved her time at Auke Bay Coop. We will miss all the friends we've made there and the wonderful teachers. She's excited to go to kindergarten after we move back to Oregon at the end of July. Congrats Sydney!

Sydney and her best buds Adele and Riley

The week before Abby the Juneau City Carnival came to won and the kids had blast. Sydney rode a roller coaster with Dad and Wynn rode this helicopter ride with Sydney several times. They played in bounce houses and didn't ever want to leave!